How to help Haiti from Houston

Haiti is among the world’s poorest countries, and the earthquake that hit the nation Tuesday has made its needs more desperate.

Here’s a list of local organizations’ relief efforts, followed by ways to donate:

The Multi-ethnic Community Center of Southwest Houston is accepting donations of food, water, clothing, medical supplies and other goods from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays at 9819 Bissonnet St.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church is raising money for humanitarian efforts by the church’s committee on relief, through its Web site. The church, located at 5501 Main St., is also holding a prayer service for Haiti on Monday, Jan. 25 at 6 p.m.

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is holding a special collection for earthquake survivors at all area church services on Saturday, Jan. 16 and Sunday, Jan. 17.

Glorious Way Church is sending donations made on its site and marked “missions” to Haiti.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston is partnering with national Jewish organizations to provide nonsectarian aid to earthquake victims. You can donate on their Web site.

Somebody Cares, a ministry based in Houston, is also collecting donations for Haiti online.

American Red Cross disaster relief fund will meet the immediate needs of the earthquake victims in Haiti. You can donate online or through Houston’s local office by calling 713-313-1753. Texting “HAITI” to 90999 will charge a $10 donation to the relief fund to your cell phone bill.

Yele Haiti, Wyclef Jean’s organization to inspire change in his home country, is also collecting donations via text. Texting “YELE” to 501501 will charge a $5 donation.

UNICEF has issued an emergency alert for Haiti. To contribute to ongoing programs for children in the country, visit the UNICEF Web site or call 1-800-367-5473.

Partners in Health, which runs clinics for the poor in Haiti, needs money to buy supplies, pain medicine and bandages. Donate online.

MercyCorps has launched a giving campaign to send relief workers to Haiti with food, shelter and other supplies. The organization, a nonprofit working to alleviate poverty in communities across the world, is collecting donations online.

Haiti Partners helps build schools and churches in Haiti and has launched a special fund for earthquake relief. Donate through their Web site.

Save the Children is accepting donations online for children and families affected by the earthquake.

Direct Relief International has already sent two shipping containers full of medical supplies to Port-au-Prince and is asking for further donations online.

Compassion International, a Christian ministry, says giving just $35 online could help them take care of a family in Haiti for a week.

Operation Blessing International, a humanitarian organization founded by Pat Robertson, has spent more than $2.1 billion in aid in its history and is currently collecting money online for Haiti.

Doctors Without Borders directs most of its attention to areas of armed conflict or disease epidemics, but is also providing aid for the Haiti earthquake. Donate here.